In 1993, Anwar Ibrahim was appointed deputy prime minister at the age of 46. He was regarded as the then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's heir apparent.

Five years later, Anwar was sacked and landed in prison over a charge which he maintained was fabricated.

More than two decades later, Anwar, 71, is once again Mahathir's designated successor.

Given their acrimonious past and constant speculation of attempts within Mahathir's circle to thwart Anwar from becoming the next prime minister, the latter is posed with the succession question in almost all his interviews with the foreign media.

Speaking to Bloomberg yesterday, the PKR president was forced to reiterate that he expected to become prime minister within two years as agreed to before.

However, he stressed that it is crucial the 94-year-old prime minister is accorded the space to navigate the nation through troubled waters before stepping down.

“It is important to allow him to govern effectively because we are in difficult and trying times," he added.

On the succession timeline, Anwar is confident that Mahathir would not serve his full term in office.

"Of course it is not five years because he (Mahathir) made it clear they (his administration) would not exceed two years," he added.

During its inaugural annual general assembly last December, Bersatu, which was founded by Mahathir, passed a motion for the premier to continue helming the nation until the next general election.

Mahathir has also repeatedly said that he would pass the baton to Anwar within two years and the pair have denied the existence of a rift.

However, eyebrows were raised when Anwar, who also served as finance minister during Mahathir's first tenure as prime minister, was not included in the newly established Economic Action Council (EAC).

Quizzed on this, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said the composition of the council was the prerogative of the prime minister.